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Mold: All too common after flooding

Take steps to prevent mold from growing, spreading

By Jenni Grubbs

Times Staff Writer

Posted:
07/29/2016 07:11:59 PM MDT

Flooding of streets, basements, businesses and vehicles was common in the storm that hit Fort Morgan on July 24, as shown in this picture taken near Eighth Avenue and Meeker Street. After flooding, there are precautions that can be taken to prevent mold from growing and spreading. (Miriam Rodriguez / Special to the Times)

Tips: Mold cleanup

Indoors mold prevention and cleaning:

If you already have mold in your house, whether related to recent flooding or not, here are a few basic tips from the Northeast Colorado Health Department for getting rid of it and cleaning up:

• Scrub mold off nonporous surfaces, such as hard plastic, concrete, glass, metal and solid wood. Dry completely, then choose whether also to use a disinfectant to kill anything cleaning may have missed.

• Do not paint or caulk moldy surfaces, which can peel and then spread the mold.

• Keep an eye out for moisture or new mold growth in spaces already cleaned. If it returns, repeat the cleaning process.

Tips for preventing/dealing with mold outdoors:

• Identify and eliminate sources of moisture.

• Compost unwanted organic material unless it was contaminated by the flood.

• Take contaminated organic material to the landfill for disposal.

• Observe trees and vegetation exposed to flood water for signs of declining health.

• Don't be too alarmed by mushrooms now growing in previously flooded areas, but do not eat them.

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• Scrub mold off nonporous surfaces, such as hard plastic, concrete, glass, metal and solid wood on outdoor structures, patio furniture and the like. Dry completely, then choose whether also to use a disinfectant to kill anything cleaning may have missed.

• Keep an eye out for moisture or new mold growth in spaces already cleaned. If it returns, repeat the cleaning process.

Find out more:

Locally for help with mold, call the Northeast Colorado Health Department at 970-522-3741, or the Morgan County Colorado State University Extension Office at 970-542-3540.

(Editor's note: Some information in this story was first published after the September 2013 floods in Morgan County, but it has been updated and is applicable after recent flooding in Fort Morgan.)

When moisture creeps into porous surfaces, it can start a biological process that frequently ends with colorful blooms of mold.

That process can take several weeks before becoming obvious, though, according to Tony Cappello, public health director at the Northeast Colorado Health Department.

With the recent flooding, the risk of mold is present for affected buildings, including homes, sheds, vehicles and other things that may have been exposed to the water.

One of the things to watch out for is mildew or musty smells, which can be indicators of the start of mold growth, Cappello said.

Mold can cause a variety of health problems, but especially for those who are allergic to one type or another of mold, according to Cappello, and the color of the mold does not necessarily mean it is or is not dangerous.

"Some people will show symptoms, some won't," he said. "If you are allergic, or are unsure, stay away from all mold."

Because so many people have never been tested for mold allergies, he said reactions could happen due to a first-time exposure.

"A lot of people have never been exposed to large quantities" of mold before, he said.

Anyone who does show signs of allergic reaction or respiratory distress after being around mold should see a physician, Cappello urged.

For those who know their property, whether the whole home or just carpet or walls, was exposed to flood water, getting materials dried out or removed as soon as possible was key to stopping large growths of mold.

"If you have any kind of porous material exposed that weren't dried within 48 hours, you should probably just get rid of it," Cappello said. "It's hard to clean that out."

For linens and towels exposed to flood water, including those smelling like mildew or showing signs of mold, he recommended high-temperature washing with bleach or color-safe detergent, and repeating as needed.

That may not be enough, though, he warned.

"If it's something that can be replaced, throw it out," Cappello said. "It's better to be safe than sorry."

He said in many cases drywall would need to be replaced after water exposure due to mold growing on the inside of the walls.

"There's no way to clean the back side of the walls," he said. "It will pop through the walls and rip through the studs."

Another recommendation is to tear out drywall down to the studs, according to Colorado State University Extension, and then clean inside the walls with a 1:10 bleach/water solution, followed by quickly and thoroughly drying before hanging new drywall.

That same process, or where possible simply treating directly with bleach for 15 minutes and thoroughly drying, could be used on other less porous surfaces that still may have absorbed some dirty floodwater, he said.

But running dehumidifiers and air conditioners can help remove some of the moisture in the air in the home, which can aid in the drying process, according to CSU Extension.

Another trouble spot can be duct work and heating/cooling systems, Cappello said.

He suggested having these systems professionally cleaned.

"It's always a good idea to keep an eye on things," he said. "If you see something coming back, cleaning is not going to work."

Cappello pointed out that the air has more moisture in it because of the flooding, but that should go back to normal as water levels go down.

Another thing that would help is to dry out the air in the building or vehicle as much as possible.

"Colorado has a dry climate," he said. "Things should dry out."

Locally for help with mold, call the Northeast Colorado Health Department at 970-522-3741, or the Morgan County Colorado State University Extension Office at 970-542-3540.

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